By Carl Umegboro
IN few months time, precisely, May
29, 2017, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will step into its
second half of the 4-year tenure. Indeed, Nigerians’ experiences since the
inception of the administration are better imagined than described following
some firm policies, and above all foreign exchange crisis due to unprecedented crash
in global crude prices. To a few that superficially voted for All Progressives
Congress (APC), it was a drift hence withdrew allegiances, incidentally, the
deed; be it positive or negative is already done. Beyond doubt, it was tough,
rough and hard-hitting that pots of soups were allegedly stolen at cooking
spots and other exceptional incidents.
To others particularly matured minds, it
is a worthy sacrifice, akin to the biblical Moses and his journey to the
promised land; a land flowing with milk and honey. On the way, it became sturdy
that some couldn’t sustain it unlike in their former bearable situations, and lost
confidence on Moses and his change mantra, determinedly requested for
reinstatement to former positions. Thus, they cried, “….Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish which we did
eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic, but now,
our soul is dried away; there’s nothing at all….” (Numbers 11:4-6). However,
those that conscientiously persisted met overwhelming expectations. In other words, serenity and monumental supports
to federal government at this critical period is vital vis-à-vis its rigorous efforts towards restructuring the economy.
From reports across most states unveiling
various strenuous blueprints towards becoming self-reliant on the same
commodities hitherto voluminously imported, deserves acclamation. Abia’s governor,
Okezie Ikpeazu recently affirmed that Aba traders presently export N1bn worth
of quality leather-shoes to overseas weekly. Out of curiosity, I discovered
that made-in-Nigeria shoes have indeed moved to the next level; on designs,
quality and convenience comparable to foreign shoes. By implication, the ban
placed on some imported goods by the federal government though negatively affected
importers is overtly positively resuscitating our local industries thereby
improving the economy in terms of job creation. With the new mindset on
improving our products, if adequate financial facilities can be accessible to
genuine indigenous manufacturers towards boosting large scale production, in no
distant time, that alone can boost the standard of living and the economy.
Ditto on agriculture. Lagos, Ebonyi, Enugu and a host of other states for
instance are waxing very strong in rice production that if the tempo is progressively
sustained, the prices may crash below expectations soon. In Anambra, Willie
Obiano unequivocally announced the state’s plan to export one million tubers of
yam and other vegetables. Suffice to say that successful diversification to
agriculture may soon be a done deal in Buhari’s change mantra. The south-south,
northern and other states are equally working assiduously not to be left out on
various farm produce. Recently, Nyesom Wike of Rivers presented to the Acting
president as he then was, Professor Yemi Osinbajo his action-plans towards
boosting agriculture in the state and reiterated his willingness to collaborate
with the federal government for enhanced productivity.
Incontrovertibly, the vacation
embarked upon by President Buhari in the United Kingdom which paved way for
Osinbajo, the Vice President to take charge on acting capacity proved one or
two remarkable points to the country. First, Professor Osinbajo operated and
associated freely with enthusiasm from the same states, people and localities
that have been no-go areas to President Buhari. Thus, to arrive at conclusions
that chronic hate radiates among Nigerians is irrefutably apt. The tension in
some quarters subsided with no arbitration or gospel-crusades irrespective of
political attachment in those states. By implications, the economy could
blossom exceedingly if Nigerians see each other as stakeholders in the
Nigeria-project. The second point to decipher is that the adoption of Professor
Osinbajo as the running mate to Buhari as well as his engagement to head the
economic team by President Buhari is now evidently profound and philosophical.
It clearly shows that with the Buhari’s willpower pooled with Osinbajo’s wealth
of knowledge and subtlety, the country is settled for inevitable
transformations. It dawned overwhelmingly that even those that hitherto
regarded Osinbajo’s office as redundant, uncontrollably embarked on pouring
encomiums on his performance, ridiculously for doing same things the government
would have still done but with resistance if Buhari never travelled. This is on
account that the economic team and its programmes did not come into existence during
the vacation but has been a subdivision of the Buhari administration. The stratagem
or rather diplomacy applied by the government is symptomatic of enormous
capabilities, hence deserves commendation.
Imperatively, as the federal
government works tirelessly towards fixing the country, though some more
radical actions still needed particularly deploying more competent hands in
some of the key sectors, it should meaningfully be a holistic approach extending
to other arms of government; judiciary and legislature. The continued frivolous
allowances payable to the Nigerian lawmakers amidst economic recession outside
salaries in a society in which some families cry for survival is abysmally the
height of wickedness and insensitivity. Every serious change will always come
with tough times but inappropriate for the helpless masses to bear it alone. Such
affluences and bonanza-allowances patterned after developed nations are too
heavy on the economy at the moment for speedy resuscitation. Besides, what is
the justification of paying such allowances to senators and members of the House
of Representatives who are engaged on fulltime vocation until the expiry of
tenure? Furthermore, as the second half of the administration commences
shortly, President Buhari should try as much as possible do appraisal on his
workforce for reshuffle where necessary. Those that made the serving-lists
considerably on partisan lines which is normal should be swapped with more
competent hands. In all games particularly politics, second half is always a
decisive moment and no leader takes it for granted, if not, may end up with
‘had I known’. In the next two years, expectedly, dividends of democracy ought
to be obvious in the lives of the citizenry putting into consideration all the
planning and notable actions embarked upon across the states alongside the
federal government. Without a doubt, 2019 elections will preoccupy the minds,
but no better way to strategize for victory than satisfactorily meeting the targets
of the electorates.
Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and publisher (07057101974 sms only)
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